Hunger Hurts: Fight Hunger, Feed Hope!

Rock Bottom Brewery Thursday October 30, 2008: Mark Your Calendars

2008-10-24T11:38:00.001-07:00

Mark your calendars! We're hosting a fundraiser at the Rock Bottom Brewery on Thursday, October 30, 2008 from 5 to 9 pm. We'll be selling $8 bracelets that will enable you to purchase unlimited $2 beers in the bar and restaurant. Rock Bottom Brewery is located at the Ballston Common Mall (near the Ballston metro off the orange line).

E-mail us with any questions. We look forward to seeing you there!

Afghanistan Facing Harsh Winter: WFP Increases Aid

2008-09-19T08:28:00.000-07:00

The harvest in Afghanistan this year will be small as a result of a harsh winter followed by a drought. As a result, one quarter of the population will be facing an extreme food shortage. To combat this shortage, WFP has increased aid from assisting 4.5 million people close to 9 million total.

However, there is no doubt that more residents are or will be in need of aid. Returning refugees and rising food costs are contributing to the shortage. Afghani leaders are concerned that food shortages will contribute to security issues and higher mortality and morbidity rates. WFP announced that last minute contributions have been rushed there in an effort to help alleviate some need before the first snow of the season fell. Attacks from insurgents and criminals have also restricted aid efforts in this area. In addition to shortages of food, there is also a shortage and need for water.

Want to know how you can help? Contribute to the WFP and check out their web site for additional details about this situation.

Spotlight on Haiti: WFP Steps Up Aid After Tropical Storms

2008-09-17T05:54:00.001-07:00

Haiti has experienced great devastation after being hit by four tropical storms in the past month (Fay, Gustav, Hana, and Ike). Many areas are still under water and residents have been displaced from their homes without food and water. In addition to flooding, many areas have also been affected by mudslides.

WFP announced yesterday that they have tripled the amount of food being sent to Haiti in the past week. Emergency efforts were made possible by funding from the United States, Canada, Spain, and ECHO. WFP is asking the United States for an additional $54 million for food and logistical assistance for Haiti during the next 6 months. WFP has been able to provide food for 217,000 people since their relief effort began, but the need will continue until areas have been restored to pre-storm conditions.

Wondering what you can do? Tell your friends and family members about WFP efforts and the ongoing crisis in Haiti. Ask them to make contributions through the Friends of WFP web site.

Restaurant Week: Organizing Committee Meeting Tonight

2008-09-17T05:50:00.000-07:00

We're planning the fall restaurant week benefits for WFP and we want your help and ideas. Interested in helping us organize and launch this event? E-mail us and join us for a meeting on Wednesday, September 17 at 7 pm at the Cosi next to the courthouse metro stop (orange line in Arlington, VA).
Can't make the meeting, but still interested in participating? Send us an e-mail and we'll provide you with some additional information. We'll post details about participating restaurants here.

1 minute of your time could win WFP $1 million!

2008-08-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

Friends of WFP has just applied for a grant of more than $1 million from American Express. In order to get into the top 5 projects, American Express is looking for projects to be nominated by many people. So if everyone on staff can take one minute to follow this link and nominate our project, we will be on our way!

Please visit this link: http://www.membersproject.com/project/view/ECDACI

and click "Nominate this Project." From there you'll just have to sign up as a guest member (just name and e-mail) and you'll be able to nominate.

Thank you!

Three DC Coordinators Visit Nicaragua

2008-07-23T05:36:00.000-07:00

DC Coordinators Mike, Devon, and Lucy are currently in Nicaragua visiting and observing field operations. We look forward to posting pictures and stories from their trip (and scheduling a meeting to hear more about it) once they return. Coordinators are invited to attend this kind of trip once each year--a life-changing educational experience to say the least. We're so excited that three of our coordinators were able to participate and congratulate them on making the fight against global hunger such a priority in their lives.

Results of the Happy Hour Benefit at Tattoo Bar

2008-07-23T05:31:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all of the volunteers who made an appearance at our Happy Hour Benefit on Thursday, July 10, at Tattoo Bar in DC, for passing along this information to your friends, and for helping to make our gathering a success. We had approximately 60 people attend between 5:30 to 9, and we collected $334.25 in donations at the door and another $129 in bar sales (we received 10% of the sales). Thank you to the staff at Tattoo Bar for assisting us with this event and providing us with this opportunity free of charge.

We're working on planning a variety of events in the upcoming months. Be sure to check back for more information!

Wedding Gifts and WFP

2008-07-23T05:26:00.000-07:00

It's wedding season in North America and many people we know have been filling their weekends celebrating with their friends and families at weddings. Mike (one our DC coordinators) recently mentioned the trend of couples asking for donations for charities in lieu of gifts. We all think this is a thoughtful, beautiful idea and a great way to help in the fight against global hunger.

If you know someone who is looking for a worthy charity, please be sure to mention WFP and send them our contact information (if they need or want additional details). In the wake of celebrating such a joyous occasion, we appreciate those who are willing to help those who are less fortunate.

WFP DC Needs Volunteers to Appear at Local Events

2008-07-07T10:35:00.000-07:00

Heidi Van Fleet (one of our great volunteers) compiled this list of local events/activities in the upcoming months. Thank you to Heidi for taking the time to compose this list. We really appreciate it!

It would be great to have a presence at as many events as possible. If you're interested and available to attend on behalf of WFP DC for an hour (or longer! you determine how long) to pass out literature and answer questions about programs, please let us know. We would like to organize small groups of volunteers to attend different events.

We'll be working on a master calendar of events (and will update this list over time), so if you plan or want to attend something that isn't on this list, let us know. This list isn't meant to be exhaustive--just a place for us to start!

List of Events and Activities
July
As far as I can tell there is a free concert on the west capitol steps Monday through Thursday at 8 pm through August. Each night a different branch of the military performs (Navy, Army, Marine and Air Force). The Navy and Marines also do concerts at their respective memorials.

National Symphony Orchestra is doing a free concert at the Carter Barron Amphitheater in Rock Creek Park on July 18 and 19.

The National Zoo has a free concert every Thursday through August 7th. It's at 6:30.

Monday nights, July 14th through August 11th is the Screen on the Green at the National Mall

July 18th and 19th is the Comcast Outdoor Film Festival in Alexandria

July 27th is the Occuquan River Festival that runs from 10am – 10pm

July 28th – August 2 is the Loudon County Fair

August
Carter Barron Amphitheater in Rock Creek Park is doing a free dance performance on August 2nd and has the annual Blues Festival on August 30th.

August 7th through 9th is the DC Comedy Fest held at 8 different locations throughout DC.

Maryland Renaissance Festival runs August 23rd through October 19th.

September
Kennedy Center Open House (I don't have a definite date yet).

October
October 4th and 5th the National Zoo hosts their Autumn Conservation Festival.

Regular Events
Farmers' Markets: There are dozens of them at different places and times throughout DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland.

Union Station: There are always people there catching trains, shopping, eating, sightseeing, and parking for the first couple hours is free.

Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center hosts a free concert every night of the week year round.

Aid Accepted by North Korea

2008-07-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

There is a major food crisis in North Korea but aid to that country has been heavily restricted by the government. WFP has asked to help but has not been allowed to until now. Only approximately 1.2 million people are receiving food assistance through WFP, but it is believed that as many as 5 million people are in extreme need.

A report in the New York Times yesterday said that North Korea had agreed to allow 50 additional aid workers (10 UN workers were there already) and shipments of food into the country. An article today (also in the NYT) said that a freighter with 37,000 tons of wheat had arrived in Nampo (the north port), and that it was the first shipment of 500,000 tons that has been promised to this country by the WFP and other organizations.

International workers were first invited to North Korea in the food crisis of 1996 after which approximately 2 million people died. Bad harvests, rising grain and food prices, and less assistance from other countries (such as China and South Korea) are factors in the increasing serious food crisis in North Korea. WFP says that North Korea is facing a shortfall of approximately 1.5 million tons of grain--the worst shortfall since 2001.

North Korea has approximately 200 counties. Before the recent agreement had been reached, aid workers could only access 50 counties. Under the new agreement, 128 counties will receive assistance.

Want to know more? Check out this article on the WFP web site
http://www.wfp.org/english/?ModuleID=137&Key=2877

or this article on the NYT site
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/world/asia/01korea.html?ref=world

What Are Global Hot Spots? WFP in Action

2008-06-27T11:02:00.000-07:00

Approximately once each week, WFP releases information regarding countries that are experiencing extreme need. They call these areas "hotspots" and categorize them as areas with high profile emergencies.

Each report contains a summary of hot spots as well as the current conditions there, WFP efforts, and WFP plans for the area as well as a map that assesses the needs of all countries and designates need by color.

Here's link to the most recent report (June 24, 2008):
http://www.wfp.org/english/?ModuleID=137&Key=2785

Wondering how a particular country is recovering from a natural or manmade disaster? Wondering what actions WFP is taking or where your donations are going? Check out the latest reports and feel good about your efforts in the fight against global hunger.

Have you got 5 free minutes?

2008-06-25T08:13:00.000-07:00

From time to time, the Friends of WFP main office tells us about a bill going up before Congress that will affect global hunger. When they do, we'll pass that "phone assignment" on to you. It isn't mandatory, but it's a great way to start getting involved.

Here is a link to some details about a call for this month:http://www.friendsofwfp.org/site/pp.asp?c=7oIJLSOsGpF&b=4149771&msource=NEWS&auid=3699794&kntaw5051=EDB32791AB6D4F888CFD20482882E5A5

Here are some handy phone numbers for you:

Virginia senators:
John Warner, (202) 224-2023
Jim Webb, (202) 224-4024

Maryland senators:
Benjamin Cardin, (202) 224-4524
Barbara Mulkulski

DC House of Representatives contact:
Eleanor Norton, (202) 225-8050

District 11 (Vienna) Virginia House:
Frank R. Wolf, (202) 225-5136
Tom Davis, (202) 225-1492
If you feel like calling others, here's the link: http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/index.html

Maryland House:
John P. Sarbanes, (202) 225-4016
Elijah E. Cummings, (202) 225-4741
If you feel like calling others, here's the link: http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/index.html

Here's a sample script: Hello. My name is [insert your name here] and I'm calling to tell congressman/woman [or senator; insert his/her name here] that I would him/her to support the Emergency Supplemental Spending Bill (H.R. 2642). Usually the congressperson or senator's assistant will thank you for your call and then ask you for your zip code.

Taking 5 minutes to make these phone calls is a great way to get involved, and when the bill gets passed, you'll know that you helped WFP.

Free Rice: Playing a Game and Making a Difference

2008-06-24T10:57:00.001-07:00

Free Rice is a wonderful word game that builds and tests your vocabulary while at the same time providing hungry people with rice. Through sponsorships, your participation in the game has a tangible benefit. For each word that you pair with the correct definition, sponsors will donate 20 grains of rice to the WFP. There are about 48 grains of rice in a gram and the WFP strives to provide people with approximately 400 grams of rice per person per day. The Free Rice site reports that "In it's first 5 months, Free Rice generated enough rice to feed more than 1 million people."

Got a few minutes to spare? Bookmark this page and play whenever you have a moment. Your time can make a real difference in the lives of others.

http://www.freerice.com/index.php

Benefit for Friends of WFP at Tattoo Bar

2008-06-23T07:01:00.000-07:00

Join us for a benefit happy hour for Friends of WFP at Tattoo Bar (14th and K St NW) on Thursday, July 10, from 5:30 to 9 pm. We'll receive 100% of the proceeds from a suggested cover at the door. This is a great opportunity to get your friends together and tell them more about Friends of WFP and its programs as well as a chance to meet other Friends of WFP DC volunteers and the six committee coordinators.

Bring your friends, meet some new people, and help us in the fight against global hunger!

A Different Kind of Birthday Party

2008-06-20T06:10:00.000-07:00

DC State Committee volunteer Sraddha had a very different birthday this year. In lieu of a traditional party, she invited 30 friends to her home, served light cocktails and appetizers, and told her friends about the WFP, Friends of WFP, and their programs. In addition to educating others about Friends of WFP's activities, Sraddha was able to collect $400 in donations. We commend Sraddha for organizing and executing this fete entirely on her own and for celebrating her birthday by helping others.

Interested in hosting your own get together to educate friends and gather donations? Feel free to e-mail Sraddha or the committee coordinators with questions.

Thank you to Sraddha and her friends for their generosity! Your contributions will make a real difference.

WFP DC State Committee Recent Events

2008-06-19T06:33:00.000-07:00

June has been a great month for the DC State Committee.

Running for Rice
Devon and her friends Kate, Kevie, and Laura participated in the ZOOMA Women's Race Series Half Marathon in Annapolis, Maryland, on the first weekend of June. They were very successful and through their sponsorships the Girls of the World Food Program team raised more than $900.

One man's globe is another man's dinner
Lucy and Betsy staffed the garage sale on Capital Hill on Saturday, June 7. Shreya assisted them by providing and collecting additional items for the sale. Sales were a little slow (perhaps in part because of the extreme heat?), but a fair number of items were sold, several donations were collected, and approximately $60 was raised.

Singing and dancing for a cause
Mike, Lucy, Devon, and Shreya attended the Wailers Concert in Loudoun County on Sunday, June 8, and collected more than $1,500 in donations. Our group found that those who attended the concert were friendly and interested in helping in the fight against hunger. The DC Committee was very thankful to the Wailers for providing us with the opportunity to attend their concert and raise these funds.

Thank you to everyone involved in these activities and to the committee members for their hard work and planning. Remember: 25 cents feeds someone for a day; 50 dollars can feed her for a year. Even the smallest contribution can make a difference.

Current Volunteer Opportunities

2008-06-19T06:31:00.000-07:00

Interested in working our table at Eastern Market? You'll be handing out literature, collecting donations, answering questions about Friends of WFP programs, and recruiting new volunteers. Send me your availability for Sundays in July, August, and September. There will be two shifts (9-11 and 11-1), please specify if you have a preference or are willing to work two shifts in a row. We realize that schedules change, but if you think you can make a shift, let me know. We'll supply you with everything you need (tables, chairs, literature, volunteer forms, information about programs, etc).

Interested in helping to develop the clues and questions for the scavenger hunt? We're organizing a scavenger hunt for August with distinct fundraising and education goals. We also need volunteers to work the day of the scavenger hunt as team leaders and to promote the hunt by recruiting friends and family to participate. Clues will be based on facts about Friends of WFP and the hunt itself will take place on the mall. We'll get together as a group to develop the scavenger hunt and then let the group know when a date has been chosen. We're expecting this event to take place on a Saturday.

Interested in writing a piece of our blog? We want to drive traffic to our developing blog as a means to teach people about hunger, Friends of WFP programs, and events that we're organizing as well as to raise money for Friends of WFP. If you're interested in doing some writing, please let me know. Ideally we'd like to be posting a new piece once or twice each week.

Interested in doing some research for two upcoming projects? I need a couple of volunteers who can make some phone calls and compile some spreadsheets for us in the next month or so.

Look for some additional e-mails soon about scheduled events for July and August. We're still working on details for a volunteer/coordinator happy hour, a sporting event, a happy hour benefit at Tattoo Bar (at 14th and K), and local restaurant days.

We're also designing t-shirts to wear at the market and various events and to sell as a fundraiser for WFP. Had a good experience with a local vendor or know someone who prints shirts? Send us their contact information.

Our mission

2008-06-19T06:10:00.000-07:00

Increase awareness about global hunger issues.

Mobilize support for hunger relief programs and activities.

Generate resources for WFP operations and other activities that alleviate hunger.

DC State Committee Friends of World Food Program

2008-06-19T06:06:00.000-07:00

Hurt hurts, but you can make a difference! The DC State Committee of the World Food Program is recruiting volunteers. Interested in volunteering or have a question? E-mail us.

We'll use this site to post information about local events and pictures from those events.

Not in the DC area? Look to the main Friends of the World Food Program to see if you state has a committee or talk to the coordinator about starting one in your area! Feel free to e-mail us with questions about joining a committee or volunteering in any area.

Where can you find us? Here on blogger, on Facebook, through the main Friends of the World Food Program web page, and over e-mail.